Haddock Corporation
| File:Haddock Corporation wordmark.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consulting Retail (no longer active) |
| Predecessor | Wichita Software |
| Founded | 1978 in Wichita, Kansas, United States |
| Founder | Richard Haddock |
Number of locations | 4 stores (1977–2014) |
Area served | |
| Services | Authorized Apple sales and technical support |
| Website | http://www.gohaddock.com |
Haddock Corporation is a U.S. firm specializing in consumer electronics and information technology consulting, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. The company operated four Haddock Computer Center retail outlets across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa. Initially established as a software enterprise, Haddock became an authorized Apple dealer and repair center starting in 1984, coinciding with the debut of the Macintosh computer.[1] Richard Haddock, the founder and CEO, contributed over a decade of service on Apple's reseller advisory board.[2] Additionally, he was instrumental in founding the Apple Specialist Marketing Corporation.[3]
History
In 1977, Richard Haddock launched the Haddock Corporation to open the inaugural Haddock Computer Center store in Wichita, Kansas.[4] With a background in programming, Haddock was involved in software creation early on. In 1978, he developed "Petroleum Accountant," an application designed for Parrish Corporation, an oil company based in Wichita.[1] This software was compatible with the IBM 5110, IBM 5120, and IBM System/23 Datamaster systems and achieved broad distribution.[5]
By 1979, Haddock's store began offering the Apple II, marking the start of a longstanding partnership with Apple Computer that endured until the closure of Haddock's retail operations.[6] When Apple introduced the Macintosh 128K in January 1984, they approached Haddock to retail the new device. Although the store occasionally sold IBM PC compatible machines during subsequent years,[7] Apple products remained the primary revenue source and helped establish the store’s local prominence.[8] The company's expansion continued with a second location opening in Salina, Kansas in 1987.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
During Gil Amelio's leadership at Apple, Haddock collaborated with Apple's Paddy Wong and Loretta Flores to create the Apple Specialist program aimed at enhancing Apple's retail network.[2]
At its height in 2005, Haddock operated three Computer Center stores spanning three states: Wichita (Kansas), Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), and Des Moines (Iowa).Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The Oklahoma City outlet was inaugurated in 2002 at Apple's request;[6] by 2004 it had achieved sales totaling US$1 million.[9] A Des Moines location followed in 2005.[4] However, competition intensified when another independent Apple Specialist retailer opened in Oklahoma City and Apple launched its own store there in 2005.[6] This increased rivalry caused projected sales for Haddock’s Oklahoma City store to plummet to $250,000 for 2006, forcing its closure in May of that year.[6][9]
Following the tragic loss of his stepson David Pearson to aggressive brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme) at age 16, Richard Haddock merged his Computer Center and LivingSound enterprises under the parent company Haddock Corporation and ceased all retail operations. In honor of his son’s memory, he established the Dragon Master Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing cancer research through genome database development.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
See also
- ComputerWare, a former retailer located in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing solely in Macintosh computers and accessories
- Tekserve, a now-closed New York City store dedicated exclusively to Macintosh products
References
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